Cheap Rail Travel

For cheap rail travel in the UK use a railcard when buying your train tickets.

All offer discounts of about a 1/3 off most standard and 1st Class rail fares.

As well as cheaper train tickets, railcards can also save you money with special offers for days out, restaurants, hotels, theatre trips and much more.

These offers vary between cards so do check which card offers the greater value for money for your lifestyle.

You may be surprised that the most obvious railcard for you may not give you the best savings overall - it all depends on your own individual circumstances and whether you travel alone, with other adults or children.

Savings: 1/3 off standard Anytime, Off-Peak, Standard Advanced and 1st Class Advanced for the disabled person and an adult companion.

Applications

New applications and renewals may be undertaken online.

Alternatively you can download an application form. It is available in large print and Easy Read.

Disabled Railcards cannot be bought at the Railway Stations.

You will be required to submit evidence of the disability - this may include:

A copy of your Award Letter

A copy of your Certificate of Visual Impairment

A copy of the front page of your NHS battery book for the hearing impaired

A copy of your Exemption Certificate for Epilepsy Medication

Evidence of disability when applying online will need to be submitted in JPEG or PDF format with a maximum file size of 4MG.

Offers

They are currently offering:

Haven Holidays - save up to £50 on top of Haven's best public prices with your Railcard

Virgin Experience Days - save 20% on Virgin Experience Days

2 for 1 entry to hundreds of attractions and more when you travel by train across the UK

Blossoming Gifts - ave 20% with an exclusive promo code.

Tastecard - free 2 month Tastecard membership with 50% off food or 2 for 1 at around 7,000 UK restaurants.

1/3 discount on all Oyster pay as you go single fare and peak daily cap. The discount applies for journeys on National Rail, London Underground and DLR services in London.

1/3 off an off-peak London zones 1-6 Travelcard for disabled person and person travelling with them.

1/3 off Caledonian Sleeper

Best for

Any disabled person who does not travel in groups/with children especially if you travel to London several times a year.

An adult companion also receives the same discount as the disabled person.

Regional Railcards

These are all regional railcards offering reduced rail fares for local residents.

Cambrian Railcard - 1/3 off most individual standard rail fares on Cambrian lines. Cost £5 for one year and may be purchased at staffed railway stations. Proof of residence in local area required.

Cotswold Line Railcard - 34% discount on off peak single and return tickets and Anytime Day Tickets. Valid between Worcester Foregate Street and Oxford. Cost £7.50 of one year. Purchase from staffed railway stations.

Dales Railcard - 1/3 off single and day return tickets. Cost £13. Proof of residence in local area required.

Devon and Cornwall Railcard - 1/3 off most standard off peak and off peak day tickets across Devon and Cornwall. One adult can take up to 4 children for £1 each. Cost £10 for one year. Proof of residence in local area required.

Esk Valley Railcard - 34% discount on standard Day, Cheap Day and Saver ticket types and 81% discount on Tees Day Ranger on railway between Middlesborough and Whitby. Cost £10 for one year. Adult and up to four children can be eligible for discount. Local residents only.

Heart of Wales Line Railcard - 34% discount on adult standard Day Return, Cheap Day Return and Saver return. Two accompanying children travel for £2. Cost £5 for one year.

Highland Railcard - Up to 50% off local rail travel for Highland residents. Cost £8.80 for one year. Up to two children can travel for £2 with the railcard holder.

Hull Disability Rail Card - free off peak travel on Northern rail services from Hull into all East Riding of Yorkshire stations, Scarborough and York. Open to Hull residents, hold a disability bus pass issued by Hull City Council and be registered with social services.

Island Line Residents Card - 40% discounts on Island Line trains (Isle of Wight) single and day return after 9am Monday to Friday. Cost £5 for individuals and £7.50 for family card.

Network Railcard - 1/3 off most rail fares in the Network Railcard area. Cost £30 for one year. Three accompanying adults also get 1/3 off and up to four children (5-15 years) receive 60% discount. Restricted to after 10am on day of travel and there is a minimum of £13 fare for discount Monday to Friday.

Scottish Youth Railcard - 34% off most rail fares and 50% off all season tickets. Available to young people aged 16,17 or 18 years and hold a Young Scot Entitlement Card. Free with the National Entitlement Card.

Thameslink and the Great Northern 16/18 Connect Card - open to students in full time education. 34% saving on adult monthly or annual season ticket. School or college must be in the Great Northern are (north of Essex Road) or on the Thameslink route (north of Kentish Town)

Ticket to Work - 1/2 price off peak travel and quarterly season tickets on finding work. Open to all registered unemployed people on key valleys and Cardiff routes.

Valleys Senior Railcard - 50% off Cheap Day Return Standard rail fares on the Valley lines. Over 60's only. Cost £5 for one year. No travel until 9.30am.

Valleys Student Railcard - 26% discount on all day tickets and 10 % off season tickets on Arriva Valleys and Cardiff services. Cost £9 a year.

Other Railcards

HM Forces Railcard - Save 1/3 on adult fares and 60% on children's fares. Cost £15. Open to members of the Armed forces, the Volunteer Reserve and their families. No travel before 10am and £12 minimum fare applies.

Jobcentre Plus Discount Card - provides reduced travel rates in London when looking for work. Open to those on Jobseekers Allowance, Incapacity Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance and Income support.(Other conditions apply). Applications through local JobCentre Plus.

Groupsave Discount - for groups of 3 to 9 people 34% discount on off-peak fare to destinations in London and South East